Silver Willow Salix babylonica
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Salix matsudana
- Phonetic Spelling
- SA-liks bab-i-LON-i-ka
- Description
-
The weeping willow is a medium to large deciduous landscape tree in the Salicaceae or willow family. With pendulous, weeping branches, a stout trunk, and a broad rounded crown it makes a statement in any landscape. It will grow quickly to a height of 30 to 40 feet and a width of 30 to 40 feet but with that rapid growth comes weak wood. The pendulous branches sweep down to the ground from the crown of the tree. The leaves are linear, lanceolate, light green on the upper surface, and glaucous or grayish-green beneath. The flowers are male and female green catkins that are about 1 to 2 inches long. They appear on separate male and female trees. This tree is frequently seen near ponds and streams.
This tree is native to East Asia but has naturalized throughout North Carolina.
The genus name, Salix, is the Latin name for this tree. The epithet, babylonica, means "of Babylon." The tree was given its name by Carl Linnaeus, who mistakenly believed the tree was from ancient Babylon, as was referenced in the Bible by the Psalmist. The tree is thought to have originated in China.
Weeping willow grows best in full sun and prefers acidic moist soil though it will tolerate alkaline soils. This tree will not tolerate cold. It is one of the first trees to leaf out in spring and the last to drop leaves in fall. Pruning to remove heavy branches can help with breakage.
This tree is a larval host plant and attracts specialized bees will being mildly resistant to damage by deer.
Its graceful habit is effective as a specimen at the edges of ponds and lakes or any low spot in the landscape that retains water. It works well on slopes to prevent erosion. This tree is not typically recommended in the home landscape due to littering, breakage, disease, and insect problems. Its invasive roots can also damage the water or sewage pipes.
Seasons of Interest:
Bloom: Spring Foliage: Spring, Summer, Fall
Quick ID Hints:
- medium to a large deciduous tree with grayish-brown or grayish-black bark with furrows
- weeping, pendulous branches, stems are reddish-brown to yellowish-brown
- leaves linear, lanceolate, serrated margins, a light green upper surface, and glaucous on undersides
- flowers are male and female catkins are born on separate trees in the spring
- male catkin is the showiest, with no petals, only stamens, 1 to 2 inches long
- fruit is a dry green to a brown capsule that releases cottony-like seeds, ripens in late May to early June
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Many insects are seen including aphids, scale, borers, lace bugs, and caterpillars. This tree is susceptible to many diseases including blights, powdery mildew, leaf spots, and cankers. The wood is weak and cracks or breaks easily. Snow and ice can damage the tree. Tree litter such as leaves, twigs, and branches can be problematic in the home landscape. In residential and commercial sites, the rootlets will invade a crack in a pipe and proliferate, clogging it and backing water up for major repair costs.
VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for "Trees, Shrubs and Conifers" a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Aurea'
golden yellow branches - 'Babylon'
broad, weeping habit - 'Crispa'
leaves curl into rings or corkscrews - 'Golden Curls'
golden bark with twisting branches and leaves
'Scarlet Curls'
- 'Tortuosa'
twisting, pendulous stems or corkscrew willow - 'Tristis'
popular weeping willow - 'Umbraculifera'
Red, young wood, with age changes to an eye-catching golden yellow - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Babylon', 'Crispa', 'Golden Curls', 'Scarlet Curls', 'Tortuosa', 'Tristis', 'Umbraculifera'
- Tags:



- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Aurea'
golden yellow branches - 'Babylon'
broad, weeping habit - 'Crispa'
leaves curl into rings or corkscrews - 'Golden Curls'
golden bark with twisting branches and leaves
'Scarlet Curls'
- 'Tortuosa'
twisting, pendulous stems or corkscrew willow - 'Tristis'
popular weeping willow - 'Umbraculifera'
Red, young wood, with age changes to an eye-catching golden yellow - 'Aurea'
- 'Aurea', 'Babylon', 'Crispa', 'Golden Curls', 'Scarlet Curls', 'Tortuosa', 'Tristis', 'Umbraculifera'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Salix
- Species:
- babylonica
- Family:
- Salicaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used twigs and bark for medicine. They were chewed to relieve headaches. It was later found that salicylic acid was an active ingredient in the bark ad twigs. Aspirin was derived from willow plants.
- Life Cycle:
- Woody
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- East Asia--China
- Distribution:
- Introduced: United States--AL, AR, CA, DE, D.C., FL, GA, KY, MD, NC, SC, TN, VA; Mexico; South America
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant supports Viceroy (Limenitis archippus) larvae which has two to three broods from May-September. Adult butterflies feed on decaying matter, aphid honeydew, and nectar from composite flowers. Members of the Salix genus support the following specilized bees: Andrena (Parandrena) andrenoides, Andrena (Thysandrena) bisalicis, Andrena (Tylandrena) erythrogaster, Andrena (Andrena) frigida, Andrena (Micrandrena) illinoiensis, Andrena (Andrena) macoupinensis, Andrena (Trachandrena) mariae, Andrena (Parandrena) nida, Andrena (Micrandrena) nigrae, Andrena (Micrandrena) salictaria, Andrena (Parandrena) wellesleyana.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Larval Host
- Dimensions:
- Height: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 30 ft. 0 in. - 40 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Tree
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Broad
- Rounded
- Weeping
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Fine
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Occasional Flooding
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 24-60 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Spring
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a dry, hard, capsule. It is initially green and turns brown when ripened. A capsule that releases many tiny, down-covered, or cottony seeds. It does not attract wildlife. They are not showy and create litter. They ripen in late May to early June.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Insignificant
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Insignificant
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Male and female flowers are born on separate male and female trees. They are silvery-green, non-showy, and appear from April to May. The male catkin is the showiest with only stamens, no petals, and measures 1 to 2 inches long.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Long-lasting
- Deciduous Leaf Fall Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Lanceolate
- Linear
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- < 1 inch
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are alternate, simple, and linear-lanceolate. They are 3-6 inches long, 0.5 to 0.75 inches wide, acuminate, cuneate, and have finely serrated margins. The leaves are light green above, and grayish-green or glaucous beneath. They are glabrous, and the stipules are slender. The fall foliage is greenish-yellow or sometimes golden yellow.
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Bark:
- Bark Color:
- Black
- Dark Brown
- Dark Gray
- Surface/Attachment:
- Furrowed
- Bark Plate Shape:
- Irregular
- Bark Description:
- The bark is gray-brown or gray-black with irregular furrows.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Scaly
- Stem Bud Scales:
- Enclosed in a single cap like scale
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are reddish to yellowish brown and smooth. The nodes are rounded, hairy, and point downward. The wood is weak and susceptible to breakage and litter.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Pond
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Specialized Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Black Walnut
- Deer
- Erosion
- Wet Soil